In his first year as City Manager, Tim Hansley watched as Dublin officially went from a village to a city. During his 14-year tenure, he oversaw an impressive list of feats, including the establishment of the Dublin Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, the opening of the Dublin Service Center and Dublin Community Recreation Center, the Dublin Irish Festival becoming Dublin’s signature event, the vision and beginnings of Emerald Parkway, and the revision and adoption of the Dublin Community Plan, which lays out policies for Dublin’s natural and built environments.
Dublin Life: What were your duties as City Manager?
Tim Hansley: Based on the City Charter, the City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the City. The City Council adopts policies for the City, and the City Manager is responsible for carrying out those policies. The City Manager is entrusted with hiring and firing all City staff, except the Clerk of Council. The City Manager must seek confirmation from City Council to terminate the Director of Law and the Finance Director.
DL: How did you first hear about the City Manager position?
TH: I was contacted by the consultant who had been engaged to conduct the search and was urged to apply for the position. I had worked with this consultant on a goal-setting project in Lebanon, Ohio, and he was aware that the Village of Dublin was interested in candidates who had that type of experience. The consultant narrowed the list of candidates down to about five people who were interviewed by a panel of area residents and the village council. I was selected based on my experience and qualifications.
DL: What were your previous occupations before becoming City Manager?
TH: I served in the United States Coast Guard as a first class petty officer and was a management analyst for the City Manager’s office in Cincinnati, Director of Finance in Westerville and City Manager in Tipp City and Lebanon.
DL: What college did you attend? What was your field of study?
TH: I have a B.A. in public administration and political science from Capital University and an M.P.A. in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.
DL: What high school did you go to?
TH: Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus City Schools.
DL: Do you have any personal favorite stories from your time with the City?
TH: I have numerous stories about the 14 years that I served in the City of Dublin. I am most proud of the people who were hired who have moved up in the City organization, and those who have moved on to other notable positions.
DL: Did you keep a lot of your City contacts?
TH: Yes. I am a former grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade and, in that role, I help select the new grand marshal each year and attend the evening activities and sit at a special table. I have attended every Irish Festival since I left the City and have volunteered several times. I graduated from the Dublin Citizens Police Academy last year and was subsequently appointed as a volunteer community service officer with the Dublin Division of Police.
DL: What do you like about the Dublin community? What sets it apart?
TH: I believe that Dublin’s focus on customer service and quality of life issues is what makes it such a special community. The number of high-quality special events is also a great feature that adds to the spirit of the community. The attention to detail in the overall appearance of the City is another factor that people notice when choosing where to locate their family or their business.
DL: What do you see in Dublin’s future?
TH: I have always maintained that it is very difficult to reach the top spot, but it is even harder to stay in the top position. I believe Dublin is currently the best community in the central Ohio region. The future is very bright for Dublin; however, the City and all of its partners – the schools, the township, the Chamber, the residents, etc. – must continue to work hard to set high standards and goals to avoid being surpassed by competing communities that would love to be where Dublin is now.
DL: What are you up to these days?
TH: I currently live in Pickerington and serve as the County Administrator for Delaware County.
DL: What are some of your non-professional hobbies?
TH: I enjoy boating and other water sports: jet ski, tubing, etc. I like to camp, travel and spend time with my children and grandchildren.
Stephan Reed is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
